Leveling-instrument



(No Model.)

A G. W. POSTER.

LEVBLING INSTRUMENT.

Patented Oct. 20, 1885.,

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ABRAHAM G. W'. FOSTER, OF NEWNAN, GEORGIA.

LEVELlNG-INSTRUMENT.

EPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 328,665, dated October 20, 1885.

ApplicatiOn filed May 4, 1885.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABRAHAM G. .V. Fos- TER, of Newman, in the county of Ooweta and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Leveling-Instruments; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in leveling-instruments and it consists in the combination of the tripod, and the tubular staff which is placed thereon, and which can be adj usted up and down,with a table which is pivoted upon the top of the staff, and which is provided with two slotted arms or semicircles, which are pivoted to the under side of the table and placed at right angles to each other, and attached to the staff by means of setscrews, whereby the table can be adjusted into any desired position.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a leveling-instrument embodying my invention complete. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the table. Figs. 3 and 4 are side elevations of the level in con nection with the measure. Fig. 5 is aview of the target. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of the table. Figs. 7 and 8 are detached views of portions of the blade and rule.

A represents a tripod, which will be of any suitable construction; and B, the staff which is placed thereon, and which can be adjusted vertically by raising and lowering it upon the extension upon the top of the tripod, so as to accommodate the height of the person making the survey. This staff may be formed of a tube of any desired size, and into the lower end of which the prong upon the top of the tripod will enter. A set-screw, O, is passed through the side of the tube, so as to bear against the side of the prong, and thus hold the staff in any desired position. The upper end of the staff is closed, and has asuitable recess formed in its top, in which the projection E on the under side of the table is centered. This table F is preferably made round, and has formed on its under side four ears or projections, G. To each pair of these cars is pivoted a curved slotted arm or brace, H, which extend at right angles to each other, as shown,

Serial No. 164,357. (No model.)

and through which slots are passed the setscrews I, for holding the table rigidly in any position into which it has been adjusted. Each pair of the pivots to which the slotted arms are connected being turned at right angles to each other, the table can be given a universal movement, and thus adjusted intoa level position,no matter what the shape of the ground may be. Upon the top of this table is formed a pivotal point or projection, I, upon which the blade J freely turns. This blade is made thickest at its center, so as to have a socket formed in it to receive the projection upon the top of the table. This blade is made readily removable from the top of the table for different purposes, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Passing horizontally through the center of the blade is a weighted shaft, L, which is journaled at one endin the blade, and at the other end in a plate which extends across the recess which is made in the blade to receive the weighted shaft. To one end of this shaft is secured the pointer N, which moves freely on the dial O,for the purpose of indicating in what position the blade is placed. \Vhen the blade is standing perfectly level, this pointer registers with the vertical marks which extend across the face of the dial, and when the blade is not level the pointer shows at what angle it is placed. Loosely attached to the top edge of this blade by means of suitable sliding devices is the sighting-tube P, which is made large and tapering at each end, but small in the center. By enlarging the ends, as shown, it is much easier to sight through the tube than can be done when it is made one uniform size throughout, for the reason that the enlarged ends allow the eye to be applied more quickly and easily thereto than can be done where the end of the tube is small.

WVhen the blade is not needed for surveying, it can be removed from the table on the top of the staff and used as a level for building purposes and as afoot-rule. Fastened to this plate upon one side is a foot-rule, a, by means of a set-screw, B. On the inner side of this foot-rule is formed a suitable projection,which is made to catch in corresponding recesses made in the end of the plate to receive it, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. When the rule is turned so as to extend beyond the end IOO of the plate in a straight line, a two-foot rule is formed. When the rule is turned at right angles to the plate, a tri-square is formed. Thus it will be seen that when the plate is removed from the table it can be used by carpenters and builders in many different ways and for different purposes.

In connection with the surveying-instrument is used a target, which consists of the rod or staff S, which has the two pulleys T journaled in it, as shown, and around which is passed the cord U, which has its two ends fastened to opposite ends of the plate V,which moves up and down upon the rod. This plate is painted in different colors upon its face, so that it can be readily distinguished through the sightingtube. To the lower roller, around which the operating-cord is wrapped one or more times, is attached a -erank,W, by means of which the plate is adjusted to any desired height upon the rod,which is marked off into spaces, as shown,

My invention is intended for leveling land,

for terracing and ditching, leveling for railroads, and all other work which is performed by leveling-instruments.

Having thus described my invention, I claim' 1. The combination of the staff, the table pivoted thereon, the curved slotted arms placed at right angles to each other, and the setscrews which pass through the arms into the staff for the purpose of holding the table in any desired position, substantially as shown.

2. The combination of the tripod, the staff, the adjustable table placed thereon,the curved slotted arms, and set-screws, and having a pivotal point formed upon its top,with the plate provided with a level and a sightingtube, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ABRAHAM G. WV. FOSTER.

\Vitnesses:

O. F. HOLLIS, ORLANDO MoOLnNDoN. 

